Can I ask you one of the unsolved questions of the universe?
And maybe it’s not really even unsolved.
Maybe every one else has already figured it out…..
…..and I’m the last to know.
But seriously…..I just want to know why?
Why?
Why….when you take a trip and wash your car and pay actual money at the car wash because you want it to sparkle and shine….and then when you arrive at your destination somehow….between here and there…..
….every bug in the universe ends up the front grill of your car. 🙂
*sigh*
Can you understand what I’m saying?
I mean….yesterday…..after many hills and dales and mountains and valleys and beautiful countryside….at the end of a long winding road…..
…..my bug-covered car pulled into Laura’s driveway.
I couldn’t wait.
We had talked about this for weeks.
I was wearing the perfect I’ve-driven-across-the-country-to-see-Laura’s-beautiful-home-but-I’m-still-keeping-it-casual….
….pair of earrings.
And two miles earlier I had applied a fresh coat of lipstick.
Suffice it to say…..I was ready.
We pulled into the driveway and I saw her home that I have seen on her blog so many times.
It was beautiful.
Like a cross between the house on Father of the Bride and Mount Vernon without the Declaration of Independence in the front hallway.
I was so excited that my platform flip flops and I leapt from the car.
There was Laura’s front porch.
There was Laura’s back yard.
There was Laura’s flowers and front door and walkway.
And Finding Home unfolded right before my eyes.
It was amazing and surreal and wonderful all at the same time.
A little like being on the set of The Real Housewives of New York….
….except so much better.
We hugged and laughed and talked the kind of conversation where you’re interrupting each other because you have so much to say.
And it was kind of like I had been visiting forever.
And I then I toured her amazing home and sat out by the pool with the summer breezes swirling around and ate a delicious chicken salad and took these pictures….
…..to remember an afternoon of fun and friendship.
And now I’m sharing the afternoon and a mini-house tour with you.
And as we pulled out of the driveway and waved goodbye….I smiled to myself and thought….
….friendship is a gift.
A friend who loves you right where you are is amazing.
A friend who understands your heart is a joy.
A friend who joins you on your journey and gets your humor and decorates like an HGTV star and makes amazing chicken salad is truly one-of-a-kind.
But the kind of friend you read about in books…..the friend who waits for you when you are late and listens to your stories and still laughs every time and doesn’t notice your totally bug-covered-driven-across-the-country-car….that kind of friend…..
….is priceless. 🙂
“Make new friends and keep the old
Some are silver and the other is gold.
A circle is round…it has no end.
That’s how long I want to be your friend.”
~Girl Scout Song
PS To take the entire tour of her home….you can click here.
PPS I can’t wait to show you the beach house update….phase I. 🙂
Hmmm because we expect so much more when we have to put down dough for a car wash! LOL Ahhh gorgeousness! Love those kinds of friends!
Silver and gold indeed. Kindred Spirits are the very best .... Enjoy your day, Gloria
Oh my goodness I had a dream last night that you,Laura and Miss Mustars Seed were at my house and I served you my famous chicken salad(according to my husband) and green ice tea. The reason you all were there was because we were having our annual yard sale. I was bringing stuff out to sell saw you all and screamed like a little kid on Christmas morning. I invited you in and gave you a tour of our house we had lunch and then you were all my friends. If only dreams came true. Oh and we are having our annual neighborhood yard sale the first Saturday in August just in case you all would like to stop in for some of my famous chicken salad. Have a great day.
This is so cute!!!! I hope this dream comes true!!!
Laura has one of my VERY favorite blogs and homes! She has wonderful taste and style. Thanks for sharing your sweet story. ~Sonya
Miz karianne, I have a friend like and I treasure her very much. I bet you're that kind of friend, too! Thanks for sharing this special moment.
Oh My!! I was just over at Laura's house!! Did you see the amazing table she redid in 10? She does have an amazing house. My goodness I must have just missed seeing you :-( . How I wish I could have been a fly on the wall to listen (eavesdrop) on you two. I bet it was a wonderful day. Did your cheeks hurt from smiling so much?? It is wonderful to have friends such as that!! Hugs to you and I can't wait to see your updates on the cottage.
Such a sweet post and home. Thanks so much for sharing it!
What a wonderful home! That hutch...my lord!
This is beautiful. There is no greater gift than true friendship. x
I loved this! Silver and gold . . . That is friendship! And, of course an amazing song from the soundtrack of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . . ." ;) Beautiful home, beautiful visit! Thank you for sharing - I, to, wish I'd been a fly on the wall! :)
This sounds like a wonderful day! So nice to make a friend like that! And Laura's home is BEAUTIFUL!
Kari Anne, How fun for you to get to visit Laura in her home...it is simply lovely! And chicken salad for lunch...a favorite of mine. Sounds like you had a delightful visit too. If you ever make a trip to the Seattle area, would love to have you over for lunch!
How exciting! Two of my favorite bloggers just chillin' and doing lunch... :-) It was fun to see Laura's home through your eyes. Wouldn't that be a fun blog series...bloggers visiting each others homes and doing their personal spin on the other one's house? BTW, now that I have the Girl Scout song humming through my head, I am in serious need of some Caramel deLites! :-) Have a happy Thursday!
I LOVE Laura and her beautiful home! Thanks for sharing! Life to the full! Melissa
Truly, KariAnne, your are the blessing. I have been so lucky to have found your friendship on this crazy blogging road. You have taught me so much and been a sounding board for so many things - even when I am crazy detail oriented! But more than that, you are a friend, as you say, of my heart. It was such a gift to spend the afternoon with you, hubby and three of your four amazing children. I think one of the greatest gifts is to see a friend and how they interact with their children - to see them being an everyday mom. And you shine as a mom. Oh, and make sure you tell your kids, thanks for all the stories and the laughs! You are welcome any time. Oh, and thanks for making my house look good - you have a magic camera! Love, Me
Love Laura and her home. Saw the very happy photo of you at her place on her facebook page. You were glowing girl!
Maybe you can stop by my house on your way home!!!! It's on your way home..via PA
Silver and gold, I like that. I have a BEST friend, we have been friends for 46 years and even share a birthday!!! It IS priceless to have that kind of friendship.
Laura has such a beautiful home...thanks for sharing all these wonderful photos with us! And the answer to your question has to be that the bugs were just trying to hitch a ride so that they could also share in your experience; misguided and ultimately fatal, but also totally understandable!
What a lovely post. Inspiring photos and a reminder of all the beautiful friendships just waiting for us out there. Thank you for introducing me to Laura's lovely home. I'm now an avid follower
You are so funny! I love reading your blog! I think we could be the best of friends if we lived closer. You and I could have fun hunting for treasures and telling each other how fabulous our earrings are!
OMG!!!! I follow Laura, too!!!! I couldn't believe when I was reading!!!! What a joy!!!! LOVE her black hutch!!! I will go see her home tour now!!!! Karianne, I love your insights!!!! You SAY what we all do secretly! Mwah mwah! Claudine
Very sweet! Whenever I wash my car it's like telling the universe to please rain...ever. single. time. haha
Love your post and good friends too! I smiled because I remember the silver and gold song too! But to be honest was thinking of Burl Ives singing his Silvee and Gold song when I saw your title! You are making marvelous memories this summer! Thank you for sharing! :)
How fun that you got to stop along the way to see Laura on your way to the coast. Getting to spend time with a friend is truly golden. Being able to do it while on this trip special makes it double the blessing. Enjoy!!
I know how you feel about Laura. I love her too, though we're never met. She's kind and generous and loves her home and family so much. Because of her, I spend more time than I like to admit, looking for a "red Keil key sign" like hers. Someday, maybe...
Love Laura and her home and her beautiful family....so wonderful that you were able to get together and celebrate your friendship that is "golden".....
As I was just commenting over at Laura's, meeting you both at SNAP was truly a joy. You are just both such beautiful and talented gals. I love all of these pics and seeing more of her gorgeous home. Off to check out that beach bedroom of yours now! xoxo